eMBALENHLE – Ms Thandi Ngxonono, executive mayor, was booed by disgruntled locals who attended the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) Plenary District Outreach Programme on HIV prevention on Saturday, 23 November.
The District Outreach Programme on HIV prevention which was led by Mr David D Mabuza, deputy president, in eMbalenhle turned into a service delivery meeting.
Residents did not want to hear anything until the electricity crisis and other service delivery complaints were addressed.
The disgruntled locals began chanting: “electricity! electricity! electricity!” when the delegation entered the big marquee tent which was erected near Mall@eMba.
The programme director and Mpumalanga Department of Health MEC, Ms Sesekani Manzini, calmed down the crowd, but when she began introducing the leadership, the residents booed again at the mention of Ms Ngxonono’s name.
She urged Mr Mabuza to come on stage to address the crowd.
As Mr Mabuza was talking about the HIV epidemic and how people can prevent it, locals were talking back, saying: “We do not have electricity.”
He paused and assured them that he will listen to their concerns, but that they should first let him finish his speech on the matters regarding his visit in the area.
The locals remained calm, but unsettled.
He spoke for a few minutes and then gave locals a chance to raise their grievances.
Locals complained about the electricity problems in eMbalenhle and told Mr Mabuza that the mayor is incompetent.
“We are sick and tired of this. If it is not constant power cuts, it is the sewage flowing all over the streets and into our yards.
“This mayor is failing us,” said a resident.
Another resident said that Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, Mpumalanga Premier, must also come and update the locals, because she promised to take the electricity back to Eskom.
Residents also complained about unfair allocations of RDP houses in the area and called on Mr Mabuza to intervene.
Mr Mabuza then called on stage Ms Mtshweni, Mr Muzi Chirwa, district mayor, and Ms Ngxonono and said: “Hey you guys, come here on stage, do not sit there, acting like you are innocent.”
He told the people that Ms Ngxonono will respond about the electricity problems.
As she took the microphone, the locals began booing even louder.
“Deputy President, the people know that we have appointed a service provider to address the electricity problems. It is 70 per cent complete,” Ms Ngxonono tried to explain.
However, the residents were shouting back: “Sit down! Stop lying!”.
Mr Mabuza asked her three times when will the project be completed, but the mayor could not give an answer.
He then said it seems like the problem is too serious. He promised locals he will return before Christmas to tackle this problem. Mr Mabuza then reprimanded the people for booing Ms Ngxonono.
“When I come back I want you to behave.
“Dr Zweli Mkhize, sorry that you have experienced this. I know the people from this area are usually not like this.
“Their behaviour tells me that there is something they are not happy about, but we will address it.”
Mr Mabuza also pledged to build houses for two elderly women who were complaining about their struggles to get funding for RDP houses.
